10 Awesome Uses Of Rubbing Alcohol

Quite a lot of people have rubbing alcohol or Isopropanol, lying in their homes which they use as a disinfectant for wounds and minor cuts or as a nail polish remover. But there are plenty of other ways in which this solvent can be employed around the house as belonging to the alcohol family it’s capable of dissolving both dirt and oil which makes it a great tool for keeping our homes spick and span. And apart from being a great cleaner it’s also highly toxic, volatile and flammable and hence, should not be used excessively. Always make sure that you ventilate the area properly where it’s sprayed. We’ve listed some of the ways in which rubbing alcohol can be used.

Removing Ink Stains

Got an unsightly ink mark on your favourite costume? All you have to do is place a few sheets of absorbent paper over the stain and dab cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol from the inside of the costume. Once the stain begins to dissolve in the alcohol, blot the area from the outside using tissue paper. Keep repeating this process till all of the ink gets transferred to paper. Wash the dress afterwards in warm water.

Cleaning Car Windows

Why spend your hard earned money on buying window cleaners for your car when rubbing alcohol would do the job just as fine? Mix one part alcohol with one part water and use the solution to clean your car windows, mirror or glass windows of your house for a streak free finish.

Kill Dust Mites

Rubbing alcohol can be used to kill dust mites on carpets, mattresses and pillows. Just rub a cotton ball drenched in a mixture of water, baking soda and the alcohol on the affected area and let it dry. This mixture can also be used as a deodorizer for the house.

Erase Hair Dye Stains

Using isopropanol on hair dye stains on your skin and clothes can help lightening them. Rub a few drops of it on the dye stain and let it dissolve. Wipe off when the area is still wet.

Kill Insects

Do you often have spiders, cockroaches and flies flocking your house? Spray them on with rubbing alcohol to get rid of them. Plus it’s a great alternative to kill mosquitoes in an instant and keep your family disease free.

Dry Up a Pimple

Applying rubbing alcohol on an abscessed pimple can dry it up in a few seconds and will also eliminate the pain caused by the pimple. Since the alcohol is very effective in dissolving oils, it can be too drying for your skin and may cause it to burn. Hence, it should be used sparingly on skin on the face.

Sanitize Hands

Being a disinfectant, rubbing alcohol can also be employed for disinfecting hands preferably by mixing it with other ingredients to make a hand sanitizer that’s not too drying for the skin. Mix a cup of aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons glycerin and 4 teaspoons rubbing alcohol. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for fragrance and stir well. Use a drop of this solution for disinfecting your hands.

Eliminating Food Stains From Sofas

Is that stain from the rich gravy you prepared this afternoon tarnishing the beauty of your sofa or your newly bought rug? Well with rubbing alcohol at your dispense you can easily wipe off that ugly stain. Just dab a few drops of it on the stain and then blot with a tissue paper till the stain is removed.

Removing Gum Stuck on Hair

Rubbing alcohol does a great job when it comes to removing that icky chewing gum stuck on your hair. Rub a little alcohol on areas where the gum is stuck and wait for a minute. The gum will come off easily. Shampoo your hair with warm water afterwards.

Disinfecting Items Of Daily Use

You can limit the transfer of bacteria by regularly disinfecting things like thermometer, earphone plugs, make-up brushes, tweezers, door knobs and other frequently touched things in your house.